The House of Representatives and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) decided on Wednesday, Nov. 22, to apprehend drivers of motor vehicles with “8” plate numbers and confiscate the expired or spurious plates.

"Last night, the House of Representatives and the MMDA formally agreed to apprehend the drivers of vehicles bearing '8' plates and confiscate the expired or spurious plates," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco in a statement.

According to Velasco, he met with MMDA chair Romando Artes to discuss the matter.

"We discussed that using unauthorized and illegal special plates should not be tolerated as it threatens public safety and undermines the integrity of the vehicle registration system," he added.

The House Secretary-General said they are committed to upholding the law and guaranteeing the proper use of vehicle plates.

“The House leadership is committed to upholding the law and ensuring vehicle identification plates’ proper and lawful use,” he said.

Velasco earlier noted that House members have not been authorized with official vehicle plates, stating that the lower chamber “has not released, or authorized the use of, official plates for vehicles of House members.”